Caro

“Nite Caro”, the curly headed child lisped pulling the covers to his chin and closing his eyes. “Goodnight Teddy”. Caro stood up and patted his shoulder as she turned and walked to the door where Nanny Grimm stood. Wearily Caro stretched and yawned. Teddy’s cold would mend now as the fever had broken. She could leave him in Nanny’s care and get some sleep. “ The fever is down, Nanny.” “Aye, Miss Caro. I know,but he’d not be quiet until you came and sat with him.” “Well, he should sleep and so shall I. Thank you for calling me.” Caro slipped put in the hall lit only by the moonlight that silvered the oak paneling and the worn carpet. Pulling her wool wrapper closer she started to her door. “Miss Caro”, The voice startled her even though she recognized it. " Miss Caro, it ‘s me, Charley. Nick needs you, Pie is foaling, and she is in trouble. Nanny said I could wait here in the hall. Will you come, Miss?” “ Yes. Go tell Nick. I’ll dress and be down.” What was that saying her mother had had that all things come in threes. She was physically tired and emotionally drained. Too much had been heaped on her shoulders since Uncle William had died. Shaking herself,she went into her room and pulled out her oldest woolen dress. It would be cold in the stone stable.

Hours later the sun was warming the cobbled stable yard and the stone stable wall as Caro brushed straw off her dress which was damp with blood and birth fluid. The foal a coal black stud had just stood and was now nuzzling for breakfast. His birth had been long and difficult. causing Caro to reach into Pie’s womb to turn him to the proper position. So much depended on this one foal. “He’s a fine one, Miss Caro. The image of his sire. He’ll fire the Dragonseed line.” “ I hope so, Nick. Call me if you need.” She pulled her cloak together and left the stable. The foal was indeed promising. Large and lively despite a tough birth perhaps he would indeed be the saving of the Dragonseed Stables. With Uncle William's estate, poor that it was, entailed to an unknown male in London, the Dragonseed horses were her only chance to support herself and Teddy. When the new Earl arrived, she, Teddy and the horses would move. She’d found an old manor house and stable she could rent. She could do it. No, she had to do it for Teddy and for Hannah, his mother and her sister who had died at his birth. Entering the kitchen’s warmth, she leaned against the doorjamb for a moment. Hanging the cloak on the peg, she went to the washstand and began to wash the stable grime from her hands and face. Patting her chestnut locks somewhat in place she started up the back stairs when a man’s voice caught her attention. “If Lady Caroline is here, I must see her and the sooner the better.” the pompous and deeply resonant voice demanded. She recognized the voice of her uncle's barrister. Now what? She wiped her hands on her skirt and went down the steps forgetting the stained woolen dress and entered the main passageway to the main hall. “ Sir Charles, why are you demanding to see me?” “Lady Caroline,” One gray eyebrow on the raised as the rounded face of the speaker looked at her closely.” As you know, I am Sir William's attorney from London, and I am here according to his dictates in his will.” “His will? Did he have a will? I mean with the entail, did he need a will? “ Perhaps you’d like to change. Your uncle’s will states that I must acquaint you with his terms at 10 and there is time to make yourself comfortable.” Recalling her attire, Caro nodded and turned to the stairs.

Gerald Mace knocked on the door of the sedate stone townhouse. He knew Darren would be there, but somehow the news he carried in his case would strike a double blow to his best friend delivered in the house of his current mistress. Still William Clare's will had stated it must be read to both heirs at 10 am on the point, and it was now nearly the appointed hour. He knocked again louder this time. "Mr. Clare is occupied, Mr. Mace" " I imagine he is Raven, but he has no choice. This is of the utmost importance and he must hear it now. It is a matter of law. Bring him to the study." The word law had the intended effect and Raven bowed deeply as he shut the door. Then extending a hand toward the study, he turned and moved swiftly toward the front stairs. Minutes later he returned followed by a rumpled and yawning Darren Clare. Even in that state he moved with an iron grace indicating leashed power. " What are you doing Gerald? Unlike you to bother me after a late night you shared." " No choice I am afraid. Father put this on my shoulders this day as he knew I'd find you. It is Clare's will. It is not I am afraid a simple entail, and he wanted it to be read to all his heirs at ten today. It is now ten." " So read it man. I doubt it will shake me much. The estate is not so large and lord knows I have no need of its income. However the Dragonseed breeding stock is something I am ready to deal with.."

" All right Darren. But I warn you"

" Ten is the hour and it is passing read the thing." Darren flung himself into a chair.

" To my heirs Darren and Caroline; Caro, my girl, the land is entailed and try as I might there is no way but for it to go to Darren. I know this pains you as this house has been your home for ten years now and the lands admirably suited for the breeding of the Dragonseed stable. To you I leave as I promised the the stable as I promised. I can do this as it stands apart from the entail as it came with my beloved Letty, your mother's sister, when we married. Darren, you will have the title, another for your string and the estate. My late older brother left you well off and his title is the greater of the two clares may carry. Still knowing it is the horses you admire and hope to work with,and knowing Caroline's need for a protector I have added a clause to the entail. It is a simple one--- for either of you to gain your inheritance you must marry within the month and remain married. In addition you must produce an heir within two years. Male or female all goods will be entailed on to that child. Failure to meet with this clause will allow the estate to be managed as an orphan asylum in your name Darren and the Dragonseed line will be managed by Gerald until another eligible relative on Letty's side is found to take it on.

I know this is high handed and that neither of you have met the other, but I believe you will suit. So having found a legal way to keep the estate and the stable joined, I wish you joy with each other.

Your Uncle, William Clare

"MARRY? Within the month? I doubt it. I have no need of the estate or the income. What is this woman- as ugly as a post, so stupid, or cross-eyed that she can not catch her own mate? Leg shackled to a country ninny, never. I will not be put to stud like a stallion. Break the codicil, Gerald."

"Father wrote the codicil Daren and you know as well as I his work always stands. If you truly want to be part of the stable, you will marry Caroline Steephaven. Father has just read the letter to her, and I imagine she is not fond of it either. Especially if she knows of your reputation." Gerald closed his portfolio and leaned back in the chair. It was not often one had the upper hand with Clare and he was quite enjoying it.

"My reputation. And just what is my reputation, sir. Am I not welcome in the homes of the ton, at Almancks, at court?" Darren rose. He paced to the desk and bracing himself on his fists he leaned over the expanse of cherry wood coming nose to nose with his best friend.

"Of course but the world knows of your mistresses and the number there have been since you came of age. Mamas want you for their daughters for your looks and wealth, but they want you in their own beds. In short you are considered a rake but one that has not yet gone so far as to offend the ton. Or perhaps your titles and riches purchase you leeway!”

A grin spread over Darren's face. "Am I now? Perhaps I should oblige some of the mamas.” It might prove interesting. No, I will make no man wear horns. Even I, a rake as you term me, must have some rules. Tell me about the girl."

Gerald choked but realized the question implied that Clare might do as the will demanded. He should be glad of that but having met Caroline and admiring her will to survive, he wondered what he should reveal. " She is hardly a girl-- twenty to your thirty. She is tall, slim, pretty. She has not come out because she is she has duties that keep her at Woodbury Manor. "

" Duties? Ah yes, Uncle Will was a widower. She kept his house?"

Gerald nodded and forged on. " Not only his house. Caroline is the manager of the Dragonseed stables She oversees its entire operation including the breeding."

" She what? That is not seemly. If I agree, that will stop!"

" I rather doubt that as the line has been managed by females since its beginning in the time of destriders. The bloodlines are in her head not in a well kept studbook. Besides she like you has the temperament that goes with her red hair. You will not find her willing to be a docile bystander. . And " Gerald hesitated,

" And she has a temperament like me because she and I both have red hair. And what else?"

"And there is a child, Teddy."

" Egad! Uncle Will, what have you done?"